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Cruising in Estonia
Estonia is the smallest of the Baltic States, which offers to the traveller a lively mix of old and new, the urban and the wilderness. Its strategic position, bordering Russia to the east and with Helsinki just over 50km across the Gulf of Finland to the north, has ensured its increasing prosperity in the decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The capital, Tallinn, situated on its northern coast, is a thriving port and industrial centre, as well as being a World Heritage Site and one of northern Europe’s most attractive and well preserved medieval cities.
Tallinn’s port is one of the largest in the Baltic. Cruise ships dock mainly in the Old City Harbour. This is within easy walking distance of the walled Medieval Old Town, which stands on a small hill rising above the surrounding city, overlooking the Gulf. Its attractive red roofed buildings are dominated by the spires of the Gothic town hall and the Toomkirik or St Mary’s Church, the onion domes of the Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Church, and the Baroque Toompea Castle, where the Estonian parliament now sits. Winding cobbled streets climb up to Town Hall Square, where you can relax outside one of the cafés and restaurants that surround the large central cobbled open space. The town hall spire is topped by a 16th century weathervane depicting the famous guardian of the city, Van Toomas.
Estonia’s landscape is dominated by ancient forests, bogs, lakes and wild plateau country. The cultivated areas are an attractive mix of fields, woods, small towns and villages that seem untouched by centuries of change. Estonia’s coastline is a treasure trove of deserted beaches, small fishing villages and popular holiday resorts. In the summer, Tallinn also becomes a lively seaside resort, with its five broad sandy beaches attracting the crowds. If you are looking for somewhere more relaxed, travel only a little beyond the city and you’ll find more secluded beaches backed by dunes and pine forests. Alternatively, you can visit one of Estonia’s many health spas. These have been attracting visitors to the country for around 200 years and are now enjoying a development boom.
Estonia is the smallest of the Baltic States, which offers to the traveller a lively mix of old and new, the urban and the wilderness. Its strategic position, bordering Russia to the east and with Helsinki just over 50km across the Gulf of Finland to the north, has ensured its increasing prosperity in the decades since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The capital, Tallinn, situated on its northern coast, is a thriving port and industrial centre, as well as being a World Heritage Site and one of northern Europe’s most attractive and well preserved medieval cities.
Tallinn’s port is one of the largest in the Baltic. Cruise ships dock mainly in the Old City Harbour. This is within easy walking distance of the walled Medieval Old Town, which stands on a small hill rising above the surrounding city, overlooking the Gulf. Its attractive red roofed buildings are dominated by the spires of the Gothic town hall and the Toomkirik or St Mary’s Church, the onion domes of the Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox Church, and the Baroque Toompea Castle, where the Estonian parliament now sits. Winding cobbled streets climb up to Town Hall Square, where you can relax outside one of the cafés and restaurants that surround the large central cobbled open space. The town hall spire is topped by a 16th century weathervane depicting the famous guardian of the city, Van Toomas.
Estonia’s landscape is dominated by ancient forests, bogs, lakes and wild plateau country. The cultivated areas are an attractive mix of fields, woods, small towns and villages that seem untouched by centuries of change. Estonia’s coastline is a treasure trove of deserted beaches, small fishing villages and popular holiday resorts. In the summer, Tallinn also becomes a lively seaside resort, with its five broad sandy beaches attracting the crowds. If you are looking for somewhere more relaxed, travel only a little beyond the city and you’ll find more secluded beaches backed by dunes and pine forests. Alternatively, you can visit one of Estonia’s many health spas. These have been attracting visitors to the country for around 200 years and are now enjoying a development boom.
